If you earn your living by caring for others, then it is crucial that you care for yourself and that your employer does their best to care for you, too. Otherwise, you could be injured and left unable to work.
Working in a care home comes with risks, as does any job. Here are some to watch out for.
Slips and falls
Spillages or other accidents can leave liquid on the floor. Even if nothing untoward happens, staff members will be going up and down with a mop and bucket throughout the day to maintain good hygiene. Wet floors make slips a real possibility, and not every landing will be harm-free.
Back injuries
If you went to the gym and lifted 170 pounds, you’d be in an optimal position using a piece of equipment designed with ergonomics in mind. You’d have time to prepare for the lift, and the balance point would stay constant. When you lift a 170-pound patient in a nursing home, things will be very different. You might need to do it quickly, in an awkward position and the balance point may shift as you move them. In an ideal world, you would always have help to lift patients, but sometimes it is not available. One bad lift could leave you with a slipped disc or other back problem that troubles you for years.
Repetitive strains
The constant bending down to help patients or make beds can also take a toll on your back. Wrists, too, can suffer through years of tucking bed sheets or typing up notes on residents.
Needlestick injuries
Needles are commonplace in care homes to administer residents the drugs they need. If someone moves while you are injecting them, or a colleague does not dispose of a needle properly, it could wound and infect you.
Thankfully, those injured have workers’ compensation to turn to, but sometimes legal guidance is necessary to get the appropriate amount.
